"Our challenge is to create more space to provide primary care," Berry said. "Right now our clinical spaces are operating at capacity and we are experiencing significant crowding. There is no more space to add additional providers."
Because of that, Berry said LCHC plans to build a two-story, 29,300 square-foot building adjacent to its main site at an estimated cost of $16.9 million. A groundbreaking has been set for May 1.
The project will create more than 150 construction jobs and health care positions.
Phase 1 will consist of building the first floor, hiring four additional primary care providers who will provide 15,000 additional medical visits per year to more than 4,000 patients; expand walk-in urgent care, along with behavioral health, laboratory and radiology services, and establish centralized registration and enrollment services for a more efficient process to patients accessing Medicaid and other insurance programs.
Berry said Phase 2will be the building of the second floor and will allow for the hiring of five more primary care providers, who combined with the extra four hired in phase 1, will provide an additional 27,500 new medical visits to an extra 7,500 patients. The behavioral health services will be expanded as well with six more healthcare providers to supply an extra 9,800 visits per year.
"Dental health services will also be expanded to provide for an additional 8,500 visits per year," she said. "The dental program has a large waiting list due to lack of space for new providers."
The land for the project is currently owned by the city's Economic and Industrial Corporation (EDIC), which plans to sell it to LCHC for $1.
The land was assessed at $168,000, but Berry said since asbestos and lead were found on the site, EDIC was willing to sell it at the miniscule cost if LCHC cleaned it up.
"There weren't huge amounts (of contaminants) found, but it was still reportable and we'll take care of it," she said. "We plan on closing on the property just before the start of the project," said.
The cost of the first phase is just under $11 million, with the second phase roughly $6 million.
Funding for Phase 1 consists of nearly $1.3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds; $2.2 million in New Markets Tax Credits; more than $3 million in Capital Campaign Funds, including a $3 million grant from Partners/North Shore Medical, and $4.5 million to be borrowed from a local bank.
Additional New Markets Tax Credits of $1.1 million will be used for Phase 2, leaving a balance of $4.7 million needed.
"We're hoping to raise another $3 million to offset some of the borrowing," she said.
Last year, Berry said obstetricians delivered at the health center 455 babies, its dental clinic had 20,619 visits, pediatricians care for more than 9,000 children, enrollment specialists helped approximately 18,000 people obtain health care coverage, and the behavioral health staff had 36,709 visits.
Berry said additional floors may be added to the building in the future.
LCHC also operates two primary clinics in West Lynn, a Refugee Health program, the WIC nutrition program, and six school-based health centers. Last year, Berry said the center established a new eye care service in collaboration with the New England College of Optometry and a new clinical pharmacy service with Northeastern University School of Pharmacy. |
